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Funding for impact

To create impact with your research, securing funding is essential. But where do you start? Below are a few options where we can support you.

There are various national and European programs for impact funding. VU IXA-GO helps you determine which best fits your plans. With these resources you can carry out feasibility studies: both commercial and/ or technical, or start a knowledge/ research-driven enterprise. 

We also support in applying for grants with the aim to bring collaborations with Profit and/ or Not-for-Profit companies a step closer.

In the drop-down menu, below the video, you can find out more about some of the funding possibilities which also gives relevant links.

Contact us!

Questions relating to funding opportunities? 

Please contact us

Knowledge clip How to fund your idea?

In this knowledge clip, Alba Herranz de la Nava, Business developer at IXA, briefly explains the types of funding available to further develop your idea. From feasibility studies to private partnerships. You will also gain insight in the funding options at different stages of valorisation. De voertaal van de kennisclip is Engels.

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Overview of funding opportunities

  • NWO Take off

    Phase 1: Feasibility study

    For a feasibility study, researchers within Take-off can request financing of EUR 30,000 to a maximum of EUR 60,000. This subsidy can be used to perform a feasibility study of the commercial application of innovative ideas and the start of activity on the basis of knowledge innovations from knowledge institutions. A feasibility study leads to a report which includes the possibilities of a start-up.

    Phase 2: Vroegefasetrajecten

    With Take-off phase 2 ("Vroegefasetrajecten"), companies (start-ups) which have just been initiated by researchers or entrepreneurs can request a loan of 50,000 euros to a maximum of 450,000 euros. The loan is utilised for the project with a maximum term of two years. Interest is owed on the loan, which must be repaid within eight years. With this loan, start-ups can take the steps which are necessary to make a knowledge innovation commercially viable. This could be a production process, market research, or a marketing or financing plan. This enables the entrepreneur to approach other private or public parties at the end of this route for investment in the continuation of the project.

    Learn more about NWO Take off.

  • NWO Impact Explorer

    Small top-up grants, for ongoing research-projects in the Open Competition or Talent Programme, to explore an unforeseen opportunity for impact. 

    The purpose of this grant is to explore opportunities for societal impact arising from curiosity-driven research. These are opportunities and ideas that were not anticipated in advance when the project plan was made, but have emerged during the lifetime of a project. 

    The grant is intended for activities to validate the potential societal impact of discoveries from more curiosity-driven research, from the Talent Line and Open Competitions of both NWO and ZonMw, and to explore a route towards it. 

    Read more on the website of NWO: Impact Explorer | NWO

  • ERC Proof of Concept (PoC) grant

    All Principal Investigators in one of the ERC frontier grants (Starting, Consolidator, Advanced or Synergy) are eligible to apply for an ERC Proof of Concept grant. The objective of the Proof of Concept grant is to enable ERC-funded ideas to progress on the path from ground-breaking research towards innovation. 

    Read more on the IXA-GO research and Valorisation Platform

  • Help with ‘impact paragraphs’

    Many grant providers require a paragraph on social impact and knowledge utilization. Our grant advisors can assist you in writing this, together with IXA’s business and impact developers. 

    In such a paragraph, you describe how your research can create value: 

    • For society, by contributing to societal challenges. 
    • For companies and public organizations, such as museums, charities, or governments. 
    • Through collaboration and knowledge transfer, by showing how you share your expertise with relevant stakeholders. 

     We are happy to support you at every step of this process. Please contact VU IXA-GO. 

  • VU IXA-GO Impactfund

    Do you have an innovation or project that needs further development, but the practical feasibility and/or (commercial) exploitation possibilities are still uncertain? Or are you working in the early stages of your startup? Then you may be eligible for financing from the IXA-GO Impact Fund of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU).

    The IXA-GO Impact Fund exists to finance research that determines the conceptual, social, technical and/or economic feasibility and/or market opportunities.

    Conditions

    Applications can only be made by researchers or startups affiliated with the VU.
    It is likely that the financing of the project will be recouped. The financing is not a subsidy, but an investment (for example a loan or convertible loan).
    The maximum amount per application is €15,000.

    How do I submit an application?

    Applications can be submitted throughout the year; there are no fixed deadlines. Do you have any questions or would you like assistance with your application? Please contact VU IXA-GO via ixa@vu.nl or get in touch directly with a Business or Impact Developer. They will be happy to help you. Find out who your contact person is within the IXA-GO team here.

Please contact VU IXA-GO for all your questions!

We offer support in all aspects in creating impact.

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